Will Week 10 prove to be a breakout moment for New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams?
With wideout Kayshon Boutte sidelined for the team’s big matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Patriots need another receiver besides Stefon Diggs, Demario Douglas and Mack Hollins to step up in the offense for Drake Maye. This could be the moment for Williams to step up and make an impact.
Selected with the No. 69 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Williams entered the NFL as a player praised for his route running, explosive speed and yards after the catch ability. He was also projected as a possible steal in the draft by the Patriots. But, after a promising training camp, the Washington state product has yet to show any maturation of his ability on the field.
A quiet rookie season for Kyle Williams
With just 2 receptions for 20 yards, Williams hasn’t been on the field enough to garner any chemistry with Maye. In fact, the two seem disjointed. Could that change the more snaps he earns within the offense. With Boutte out, that chance is now and as long as he stays prepared and ready, the targets will come his way.
Patriots’ offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels sees progress in the young wide receiver, despite his limited targets. With his speed, explosiveness and his ability to stretch the field, it could just be a matter of time where he starts making plays and looking like the player the team and fans were excited about prior to the season.
“I think Kyle’s doing a lot of really good things, and he’s a young player who’s come in and he’s — some of the guys that have been in front of him have really done a nice job,” McDaniels said Thursday. “So, I think that’s part of the role of a young player who’s trying to progress is you wait your turn, you get your opportunities, and then, hopefully, you make some plays and you continue to earn more. So, he practices hard every day.
“He’s out there every day, which is an important part for a young player to develop. He knows what to do. He’s played multiple spots. He knows how to function in multiple spots. We’ll see if there’s more opportunities out here as we go forward.”
What it really comes down to when it comes to Kyle Williams is him getting on the same page as Maye. The two seemed to form chemistry early in training camp but hasn’t been able to replicate that on the football field. With the Buccaneers defense locked in on Diggs, Douglas and stopping the Patriots’ tight ends, it could leave opportunists for Williams to utilize that separation ability and formulate another reliable target for Maye.
If Williams earns confidence in Week 10, it could go a long way in how this Patriots’ offense looks heading down the stretch of the 2025 NFL season.